Lucky This Isn't Real: MacBride Brothers Series St. Patrick's Day Fake Fiance Romance by Jamie Knight (digital e reader .TXT) 📕

He left, softly closing the apartment door behind him, leaving me alone in the dark apartment. Finding my way over to the bed, without bothering to put on a light, I hugged the pillow. The one that still had his scent. I breathed in deep, trying not to cry, but the tears came anyway. I knew I’d messed up things with Sean but wasn’t sure how else I would have handled it. I couldn’t put the blame on him. He’d stopped without me having to say it, probably feeling how uncomfortable I was despite him also being drunk. It wasn’t like I could take his suggestion of going to Ireland with him seriously, no matter how much I wanted to get out of Los Angeles.

Moving to a different country, while appealing, also seemed a bit too drastic. Realistically, our relationship to that point was based on a fake engagement and great sex. I knew in my heart there was more than that but couldn’t quite convince my head. What my heart wanted conflicting with what common sense was telling me.

Chapter Twenty - Sean

I’d never really understood the term ‘stupor.’ Not until I found myself separated from my soulmate by forces I didn’t quite understand. With no set purpose driving me, I embraced a new role, playing nursemaid to Maggie while Gavin worked.

Still not quite reaching leading man status, he’d managed to eke out a successful sitcom career and had snagged more than a few movie roles. His new role was something of a boon. As the main henchman for the villain of the piece, it allowed him to stretch his wings. The role brought him greater attention, as well as more money but also meant he was away from home, and his beloved wife, for as much as sixteen hours a day.

An absence he promised to make up for by bringing her to the wrap party. Something which she seemed to only be feigning enthusiasm for.

It really was typical of our relationship. Gavin off doing cool things, me staying behind to help keep things together at home. I didn’t mind, of course, someone had to be the responsible one, and I was happy to fill the role.

“More ginger ale?” I asked, noticing her depleting supply.

“Yes, please.”

“Coming right up.”

I’d spent the last two days playing nursemaid, and I was getting perilously close to when I’d have to go home. I loved Maggie as a sister but was really starting to miss Darcy. She hadn’t tried to contact me since the night I left her apartment, and I hadn’t reached out either. I was giving her space’. Obviously, my suggestion that we move to Ireland together freaked her out, like I’d feared it would. The way I’d posed it hadn’t really helped. If only she’d known what had really gone on. I kicked myself for not at least waiting until I was sober to broach the subject.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” Maggie asked as I handed her the glass. “Your moping around is making me feel worse.”

“I think I might have screwed things up,” I admitted. “I asked Darcy to come to Ireland with me.”

“That was brave. How did she react?”

“Not well. Though it was at least partly how I posed the question. I should have waited until I was sober, then maybe I could have mentioned more of the circumstances.”

“Such as?”

“Well, her dad offered me a check not to see her again.”

“He did what?” Maggie asked, her eyes going big.

“Offered me a check. Right there in his swanky home office. A million bucks to stay away from his daughter.”

“What an asshole. What did you do?”

“Refused it and ripped it upright in front of him, six even pieces. We don’t go in for that kind of shite. My grandpa tried something similar to get our dad away from our mother. Da told him to sling a hook too, though in slightly less dramatic terms.”

“Go,” she said and pointed towards the door. “Get out of here.”

I stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “Sorry?”

“You gave up a million dollars for her, you idiot. Why are you here hanging out with me? Don’t think I don’t appreciate it, but come on, we both know there is someone else you would rather be with. Go now and talk to her, break into her office if you have to. Tell her what you told me, and if she doesn’t want to run away with you right then and there, she is no longer the Darcy Matthews I know.”

Thoroughly encouraged by Maggie’s true words, I set off on foot in search of Darcy’s office. I’d only ever been there once before but found it without much trouble, the black glass monolith reaching into the clear California sky. I’d considered taking a taxi or an Uber but didn’t want to take the time to wait. I knew I had to see her as soon as possible.

On the way there, I passed a street vendor selling bouquets of roses. It couldn’t hurt, so I bought a dozen for the same price as dinner for three at my favorite restaurant at home before charging ahead.

I didn’t look my best in a pair of cargo shorts and a polo shirt. That and I hadn’t shaved in a few days, but with studious use of a pocket comb, I managed to make myself look more preppy than casual and strolled through the mighty doors into the den of dragons.

“I’m here to see Darcy Matthews,” I informed the desk guard.

A signature later, I was through the metal detector and on my way to the elevators. A bored security guard was one thing. A canny receptionist could be quite another. The first hurdle cleared. I didn’t let myself get complacent, knowing my greatest challenge was yet to come.

“May